Undercover Stings Useful to TABC to Catch Alcohol Violators

Get More on KCBD.com

Almost one out of every five bars, restaurants or liquor stores in Lubbock will likely be cited for an alcohol violation, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) does everything it can to put a stop to the action. NewsChannel 11 takes a look at how the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission goes undercover to make sure restaurants, bars and anyone who sells alcohol is obeying state laws.

The setting; a minor walks into a liquor store, grabs a six pack of beer and takes it to the register.

"That's 4.89," says the cashier. That's a scene from a TABC minor sting in Dallas County. The minor had no problem walking into a neighborhood liquor store and leaving, no questions asked.

Schreffler says that's why they choose minors who look their age. All volunteers are under 18. In the minor sting video, an officer said, "Sometimes we focus on an area that's received a number of complaints from the community."

Generally, officers sting around six places a night. Some because of complaints, theirs at random. The minors are told to show their real ID, but here's what's surprising. "Many times, they'll look at the ID and the birthday, but for some reason it doesn't register how old they are," said Schreffler.

The penalty for serving to a minor or to someone who is already intoxicated is up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine.

The TABC is targeting businesses that violate the rules of selling alcohol. In Lubbock, 76% of the bars and liquor stores comply with liquor laws, that's 4% below the state average. One local bar learned first hand what can happen.

The mass shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead has sparked calls for walkouts, sit-ins and other actions on school campuses nationwide aimed at pushing lawmakers to pass tougher gun laws.

The mass shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead has sparked calls for walkouts, sit-ins and other actions on school campuses nationwide aimed at pushing lawmakers to pass tougher gun laws.